And, in high good humour, swore to it,—

“If not the abode itself of Death,

You certainly are next door to it!”

A knot of persons exceeding wise

Were trying a sailor brave

Who, sent to sea, in a rotten ship,

His crew had contrived to save;

And the devil bowed,—respecting the man

Who had beaten both him, and the wave.

(Six verses omitted.)